Attention libation lovers: A new advisory The surgeon general says drinking alcohol, even one drink a day, increases the risk of certain types of cancer.
Breast cancer had the highest alcohol-related risk for women and people assigned female at birth. The report states that around 4 more women in 100 would develop breast cancer if they drank two alcoholic drinks a day. And that’s regardless of the type of alcohol consumed, including beer and wine.
The report also links alcohol to an increased risk of six other cancers: colorectal, esophageal, liver, mouth, throat and larynx.
In recent years there has been a growing body of research pointing to the health risks of alcohol consumption, but now the advisory goes a step further and requires warning labels, similar to the pregnancy warnings already posted. found in alcohol bottles. bottles to help raise awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer.
Steven Quay, M.D., Ph.D.has more than 30 years in medical research focused on breast cancer and preventive therapies. We asked what women need to know about the surgeon general’s report and the latest research on the link between alcohol and cancer.
Read: How Much Alcohol is Too Much for Heart Health? >>
What is the most important takeaway for women and people assigned female at birth regarding the surgeon general’s new alcohol warning?
The surgeon general’s advisory stresses that even small amounts of alcohol can increase a woman’s risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer. It highlights that breast cancer accounts for the majority of alcohol-related cancer cases among women, and evidence suggests that risk increases even at levels as low as one drink per day.
This advisory serves as a wake-up call to reevaluate social norms surrounding alcohol consumption, particularly among women, and to promote awareness that alcohol is a modifiable risk factor for one of the most common cancers affecting women. the women.
Read: My first dry January was full of criticism, but I learned to listen to myself >>
Numerous studies support the link between cancer and alcohol consumption. So is any amount of alcohol “safe” with respect to cancer risk?
Evidence suggests that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption when it comes to cancer risk. Both the general surgeon and National Academy Reports indicate that alcohol increases cancer risk in a dose-dependent manner, and risk begins to increase even at low levels of consumption. The surgeon general’s report is explicit in stating that the best way to reduce the risk of cancer is to completely abstain from alcohol. While the National Academy report acknowledges the same association, it also notes that the absolute increase in risk at very low levels may be modest. The public health message is clear: less is better and nothing is better.
What do you want women to know about breast cancer and alcohol consumption?
Women need to know that alcohol is an important and preventable risk factor for breast cancer. The surgeon general’s report emphasizes that even one drink a day can increase the risk of breast cancer by about 10%, and consuming two drinks a day increases this risk by more than 30%. The mechanism involves alcohol-induced increases in estrogen levels, which can drive the development of hormone-sensitive breast cancers. This reinforces the need for awareness campaigns and a cultural change in the way women market and consume alcohol. Women should be empowered with the knowledge that reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption is a proactive step in reducing cancer risk.
Ask for a friend: What if you’ve been drinking for years thinking it’s good for you? Can you lower your cancer risk by stopping drinking now?
Yes, it is never too late to reduce your risk of cancer by stopping consuming alcohol. The National Academy report notes that stopping alcohol consumption can lead to a gradual reduction in cancer risk over time, as the body begins to repair alcohol-induced DNA damage and hormonal imbalances. Additionally, the Surgeon General’s advisory highlights that any reduction in alcohol consumption, even after years of consumption, can still contribute to improving overall health and lowering the risk of alcohol-related cancers. This is particularly important for women who may have consumed alcohol under the misconception of its cardiovascular benefits, which recent evidence has shown are exaggerated or outweighed by cancer risks. The key takeaway is that quitting alcohol now is a powerful and viable step to improve long-term health outcomes.
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